A Democrat blistering what he cast as a “rigged” economy run by “DC elites” is launching a longshot bid against Sen. Joni Ernst in the deep-red state of Iowa.
Nathan Sage, executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, is kicking off his campaign Wednesday with a video that targets Ernst as a “corporate Republican” and emphasizes his working-class roots. Sage tells viewers he grew up in a trailer, worked as a mechanic, and served in the Iraq War.
Nathan Sage’s Worker-Focused Campaign
“The economy is rigged, and those in power don’t give a damn,” Sage said in the video. “They’re the ones doing it.”
Sage’s bid is the latest example of backlash to President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk inspiring Democrats across the country to run for office. His worker-focused approach reflects the belief of some Democrats that economic populism is the answer to their party’s deep problems in the American heartland.
Challenges for Democrats in Iowa
But Democrats face enormous hurdles in Iowa. The last time they won a Senate seat in the state was in 2008, and it has grown much redder in the years since. Trump carried Iowa by 13 percentage points in 2024.
In an interview, Sage accused Ernst of being beholden to her donors.
“If you’re going to represent Iowans, you need to represent all Iowans and all veterans, and not be led by corporations or billionaires and people putting money in your pockets,” he said.
Leadership and Democratic Unity
Recently, there have been signs that ousting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is becoming a new litmus test for Democratic candidates, particularly on the left. Sage declined to commit to supporting Schumer when asked whether he should stay in his leadership role.
“What I would do, and I’ve done with every single leader that I’ve ever been with, is listen to what they have to say, understand where they’ve been and what their background is, and make my judgment based off of that,” he said.
